Mini dropper

ABSTRACT

A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.

' United States Patent [191 Ogle [ MINI DROPPER Robert W.- Ogle, Newport Beach, Calif.

[73] Assignee: IMS Limited, Wilmington, Del. 22 Filed: Au g.23, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 173,783

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 222/209, 222/420, 222/562 [51] Int.-Cl. B65d 37/00, B65d47/l8 [58] Field of Search... 222/206, 209, 214, 215, 420,

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Finkelstein & Mueth [57] ABSTRACT A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an.

outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEBJANZQIBH INVENTOR ROBERT w. ocuz Fleas A TTOENEYS 1 MINI DROPPER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION pensed from drop-to-drop. Visual estimation of the amount dispensed is not feasible when the medication is' to be applied directly to the skin. If the dropper is held above the skin surface, splashing occurs. The present invention provides a dropper device which dispenses any predetermined amount of fluid on a repeatable basis. The technique of the operator is not critical. The device is particularly useful in applications directly to the surface of the skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, this invention comprises a device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annularshoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel dropper device for the application of medication and other reagents.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a reagent dropper adapted to repeatedly dispense any predetermined amount of liquid.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dropper particularly adapted to the application of a reagent to the surface of the skin.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows taken together with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning to the drawings: FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of the device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the two uppermost parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the two lower parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device of this invention in assembled form as it appears in the nonoperating position.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device of my invention in assembled form as it appears in the operating or drop-dispensing position.

Turning to the drawings in greater detail, the illustrated form of the invention comprises an outer tubular member 10 having an open end 12 and a second end 14 comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening 16, a vial 18 received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper 20 sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder 22 thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial. This is accomplished in the illustrated device by having the underside of annular shoulder 22 overlay and rest on the end of the walls of vial 18. The stopper 20 also has a projection 24 thereon which is concentric with the stopper. Fluid passage 26 traverses said stopper 20 and projection 24, said projection extending through and beyond said end wall of the tubular member 10. The projection 24 has an externally raised ring 28 which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening 16. The stopper 20 also has an internally hollow convex dome-like configuration 30 in proximity to the inner end of the projection 24 which is adapted to be compressed when the vial 18 is fully advanced in said tubular member 10 toexpel a drop of fluid from said vial through the fluid passage 26. The tubular member 10 has a skirt-like extension 32 on its outer surface surrounding said projection, a cap 34 enclosing that part of the projection extending beyond the end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the interior of said skirt, said cap also having on the interior I of its closed end, a projection 36 thereon adapted to seal on the exterior of the end of said projection 24 to thereby'form a two-point seal.

Preferably annular shoulder 22 has an external diameter equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter of tubular member 10 to maintain accurate alignment of the parts and provide a smooth action or feel for the operator.

In operation, the device is assembled by filling the vial 18, inserting stopper 20 within the vial and then placing the stoppered vial within the tubular member 10. The projection 24 is then pulled through opening 16 until ring 28 snaps into place as shown in FIG. 4.

To use the device, the drop of reagent is dispensed by the application of a squeezing force between vial l8 and tubular member 10, causing the compression of the of said tubular member having a resilient stopper seal- I ing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.

2. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projec tion and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirt-like extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the interior of said skirt.

3. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received 'in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing itsopen end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirt-like extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the interior of said skirt, said cap also having on the interior of its closed end, a projection thereon adapted to seal on the exterior of the end of said projection to thereby provide a two-part seal.

4. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric-with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.

5. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an endwall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal-to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projectionextending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirtlike extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a sea] with the interior of said skirt.

6. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end. of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced withinsaid tubular also having on the interior of its closed end, a projec tion thereon adapted to seal on the exterior of the end of said projection to thereby provide a two-point seal.

7. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, the underside of said annular shoulder resting on the open end of said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the. projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage. 

1. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.
 2. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirt-like extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the interior of said skirt.
 3. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirt-like extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the inTerior of said skirt, said cap also having on the interior of its closed end, a projection thereon adapted to seal on the exterior of the end of said projection to thereby provide a two-part seal.
 4. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage.
 5. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirt-like extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the interior of said skirt.
 6. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, Said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage, said tubular member having a skirt-like extension on its outer surface surrounding said projection, and a cap enclosing that part of said projection extending beyond said end wall, the exterior of said cap forming a seal with the interior of said skirt, said cap also having on the interior of its closed end, a projection thereon adapted to seal on the exterior of the end of said projection to thereby provide a two-point seal.
 7. A device adapted to dispense reagents comprising an outer tubular member having an open end and a second end comprising an end wall having therein a concentric circular opening, a vial received in the open end of said tubular member having a resilient stopper sealing its open end, said stopper having an annular shoulder thereon to prevent reciprocation of said stopper in said vial, said annular shoulder having an external diameter of approximately equal to the internal diameter of said outer tubular member, the underside of said annular shoulder resting on the open end of said vial, said stopper also having a projection thereon which is concentric with the stopper, a fluid passage through said stopper and projection, said projection extending through said concentric circular opening and beyond said end wall of the tubular member, said projection having an externally raised ring which forms a snap-fit on the exterior of the concentric circular opening to restrain the projection against longitudinal movement within the opening, said stopper also having an internally hollow, imperforate convex dome-like configuration in proximity to the inner end of said projection and extending beyond the end of said vial which is adapted to be compressed when said vial is fully advanced within said tubular member to expel a drop of fluid from said vial through said fluid passage. 